Applications Engineer

Nurtures key relationships with major customers to maximize sales performance; manages all aspects of sales process to ensure optimal customer service; collects and summarizes customer intelligence used as key input to develop marketing and sales plans; monitors competitor's activities and formulates appropriate responses to protect and grow market share. Position is also responsible for customer order negotiation and quotation responsibilities including commercial guidance, pricing strategies, technical support, specification guidance/interpretation assistance, and other customer requested support functions as required to properly support profitable sales growth to assigned territories. This position acts as a department leader on product application and commercial issues. 

Essential Functions:

A.   Establishes and maintains the highest possible commercial relations with present and potential customers by effectively employing skills with the art of salesmanship, application engineering, product knowledge, knowledge of customers business and organization and competitive products and activities. 

B.   Interprets incoming orders for proper content, price, compliance with terms and conditions, etc. prior to acceptance at division.

C.   Reviews customer needs and specifications in order to determine a minimum bill of material, most competitive price level and shipment cycle within the industry or market segment assigned.  Coordinates with Customer Service to ensure resources are available to support customer commitments.

D.   Interprets incoming division quotations for proper content, price, etc. to meet the minimum customer requirements prior to final order clearing. Complete reporting database information and report negotiation status in a timely manner.

E.   Establishes focus on product line technical project management execution of IPA/UST projects – equipment coordination, documentation review/accuracy, electrical interconnect/point-to-point duties, and warranty support.

F.   Advises as technical and commercial liaison between field sales, end user/customers, distributors (if applicable) and other product line functions such as engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, scheduling and management.

G.  Recommends changes/modifications in products, policies or procedures to improve productivity.
H.  Maintains an active role in the formation and execution of project strategies along with Product Line DSE’s & Customer Service, IPA/UST suppliers, and NAS/PMO.  Provides guidance & assistance to Sales Engineers and Project Management throughout the project lifecycle.

I.    Develops and presents or assists in presentation of programs to promote the acceptance of products and/or services at customer locations, sales offices, trade shows, training seminars and Corporate meetings.

J.   Completes all requested reports in a professional and timely manner
K.  Coordinates special projects at the direction of the Product Line Manager or other applicable product line management. 

L.  Provide guidance and direction as needed to IPA/UST Suppliers as required, including taking a lead role in the coordination efforts between IPA/UST and other product lines. Organize and maintain necessary documentation, training programs, and presentations.

M.   Assume leadership role within the department to assist in continuous improvement of systems and processes – especially pertaining to technical project execution & product line project management practices.

N.   Other duties, projects as assigned.

Basic (Required) Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• Seven (7)+ years related project management, product management, account management, engineering, or field sales experience.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without company sponsorship, now and in the future
• No relocation benefit is being offered for this position.  Only candidates within a 75-mile radius of the work location will be considered.  Active-Duty Military Service member candidates are exempt from the geographical area limitation. 

Preferred:

• Ten (10) years related customer service, project management, account management, or field sales experience.
• Knowledge of Eaton products (LVA, MVA, MCC, MVC, MVD) preferred.
• Knowledge of Eaton Systems (VISTA, BidMan, etc.)
• Knowledge of Electrical Distribution & Control Systems

Position Criteria:

•    Must possess excellent computer skills in MS Office, including MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

•    Excellent interpersonal skills and excellent verbal and written communication skills.

•    The individual must possess a deep and thorough understanding of selling techniques and Eaton capabilities, market channels and technical applications of Eaton products. Needs to have a working knowledge of the overall sales function, customer channel, and negotiation techniques and must be able to manage division, customer and departmental needs to maximize Eaton’s ability to obtain new business.

•    In addition to these departmental duties, the individual must exhibit a willingness and ability to provide a leadership role within the department. These duties include, but are not limited to, answering application questions, providing unsolicited support in the event of sudden work influx, provide insight to product line management on technical/commercial issues, and provide managerial guidance when the Product Line Manager or Customer Service Supervisor is unavailable.

•    Must have a strategic vision/mindset and aptitude for execution of continuous improvement and process creation/maintenance/controls.